ucas / next steps guide 2019-20 - great marlow school · title ucas / next steps guide 2019-20...

GENERALINFORMATION

Thisbookletisanessentialtoolforpreparingstudentsfor

thetimeafterleavingGreatMarlow,whetherapplyingfor

university,anapprenticeshiporajob.

Thisisthewebsiteversionofthebookletissuedinschoolforuseathomeby

students,parentsandcarers.Thehardcopyshouldbekeptinadesignatedplace,

perhapsinaformroom,sothatitcanbereferredtoduringstudyperiods.

Thisrevisedbooklethastakenintoaccountthedetailedfeedbackgivenby6th

formersconcerningtheirfutureplans.Theveryprecise6thformcommentshave

resultedinthisbookletbeingespeciallytargetedforthisyear’scohort.Further

commentsonstructureand/orcontentarewelcomed.

Thebookletisdividedintodifferentsections.However,somesectionsdooverlap.

Forexample,theremaybesomehelpfultipsintheUCASsectiononPersonal

Statementsforthoseapplyingforajob,becauseemployersrequiresomething

similarwhenajobisappliedfor.

Awealthoffurtherinformationisavailableonallthetopicsincludedinthis

booklet,sopleasebemotivatedtoresearchyourchosenpathway.

The Sixth Form team recognise that, for many of

students, the choice of pathway will change once,

twice, maybe more, over the next year. For all, it is

importantthatstudentsbegintomakeinitialdecisions

abouttheirfuture.

Itisonceagaindecisiontime,andhereareyourpossibilities:

Universityorcollege–gainvaluableskillsandaqualificationtohelpyoufollowyour

chosencareer.

Apprenticeships/Work–applyforjobsnow,orstartyourownbusiness,withtheaimtoworkuptoyourfuture

goals.

Training–preparefortheworldofwork,orlearnonthejobwhileyouwork.

Volunteering–gainexperiencetohelpyoutowardsyourworkorstudyaspirations.

Travel–getculturalinsightsduringworkingholidays,learning,conservationorteaching.

choices, choices,

choices

CONTENTS

6 Fees

7 UCASApplicationProcessandKeyDates

10 HowtoChooseyourHigherEducationCourse

11 UsefulHEWebsites

13 UCASPointsConversionTable

14 CompletingaSkillsAudit

19 PersonalStatements

20 HowtoWriteaPersonalStatement

24 Examples

33 Step-by-StepProcesstoApplyingOnlinewithUCAS

APPRENTICESHIPS/WORK-BASEDLEARNING

Apprenticeships-thebasicfacts

UsefulWebsites

40 Jobs-usefulwebsitestosearchforemployment

41 CVs-puttingonetogetherandwhattoinclude

52 ExampleCVs

55 Interviewtechniques

GAPYEAR

GapYearInformation

WhyChooseaGapYear?

UsefulWebsites

UCASistheorganisation

responsibleformanaging

applicationstohighereducation

coursesintheUK.

Itistheonlywayofapplying.

Manyofyoumay,currently,becautiousaboutapplyingtouniversitybecauseof

tuitionfees.Hopefully,thesebasicfactswillhelpmakethesituationclearer.

Allinstitutionsarecurrentlyallowedtochargeupto£9,250peryearforacourse,

providingtheymakeextraprovisionsofbursariesfordisadvantagedstudents.

Studentsdonothavetopaythisup-front.

StudentscanreceiveaTUITIONFEELOAN,whichwillbepaiddirectlytotheuniversityor

college.Repaymentforthisloandoesnotstartuntilearningsareatleast£25,725ayear(or

£2,143amonth/£494aweek).

Studentsdonothavetotaketheloanfortuitionfees;itcanbepaidfordirectly.

Theloanisrepaidthroughtheincometaxsystem;anemployertakesaspecifiedamount

atsource,reducingthetake-homepayoftheemployee;thisensuresnodebtcollectorscome

chasing.

Forthe2019-2020cohort,thethresholdis£25,725.Thethresholdisdesignedtorisein

linewithaverageearnings.Studentswillbeexpectedtorepay9%ofeverythingabovethat

threshold.

Studentsrepay9%ofeverythingearnedannuallyabove£25,725butshould

circumstanceschange,likeredundancyorapaycut,therepaymentsdropaccordingly.Youcan

makeadditionalvoluntarypaymentsatanytime.

Studentsstoppayingtheloanwhentheyhaveclearedthedebtor30yearshavelapsed,

whichevercomesfirst.Therefore,ifyouneverhaveajobearningoverthethreshold,you’ll

neverrepay.

StudentsmayalsobeentitledtoaMAINTENANCELOANtohelpwithlivingcostsofupto

£7,529iflivingathomeandupto£8,944iflivingawayfromhome.IfyouliveinLondon,away

fromhome,youcanbeloanedupto£11,672.AMaintenanceLoanforlivingcostsisbasedon

householdincome.Formoreinformationseewww.gov.uk.

tuition fees

UCASApplicationsCalendar2019-20

Bytheendofthesummerterm:

• Youshouldhavedecidedonthesubjectareayouwishtostudy.

Ifyouhavenoideawhattostudy:

- bookacareersinterview,seeMrHollyman,MissJones,MrsEvansorMrsSouthon,

- speaktoyourtutor

- accessthewebsitesinthispack

- applyforaSixthFormbursaryifyouconsideryourselfeligible.

• Youshouldhaveattended/plantoattenduniversityopendaysand

appropriatesummerschools.

Goto-www.opendays.comwhereyouwillfindallthedatesyouneedtoknow(3daysabsence

fromschoolisallowedtoattendopendaysforcollegesanduniversities).

• Youshouldhavepreparedyourpersonalstatementandhaditcheckedby

yourtutor.

• YoushouldhaveregisteredforUCAS.Detailsofhowtoregisterisdocumentedinthis

booklet,alternatively,askyourtutor.

• Youshouldhavearrangedanyfurthernecessaryworkexperience.

Workexperienceisespeciallyimportantifapplyingforteaching,medicine,veterinaryscienceor

physiotherapy,butitisalsousefulforallothercourses,toshowevidenceofenthusiasm.

summer term 2019

What can you do now?

5thSeptember2019 …applicationscanbesubmittedfromthisdate

20thSeptember2019-GMS

Oxbridgedeadline

…fortutorstoreceiveapplicationsfromthoseapplyingto

Oxford,Cambridge,medicine,dentistry,veterinary

scienceandlawcoursesrequiringLNAT.

6pm,15thOctober2019-

UCASdeadline

…forapplicationsforOxford,Cambridge,medicine,

dentistryandveterinaryscience.

20thOctober2019

(half-term)-GMSinternal

deadline

…forallUCASapplications.Thisgivestutorstimetowrite

referencesandmeetUCASdeadlines.

October/November2019-

March2020-university

interviewscontinue,offers

aremadebyuniversities

Trackyourofferson‘UCASApply’.

15thJanuary20206pm-

UCASfinaldeadline…forreceiptofallapplications.

25thFebruary2020-

UCASExtra

Studentswhomadetheir5choicesbutarewithoutany

offerscanaddadditionalchoicestotheirapplicationsto

trytosecureauniversityplace.SeeUCAS.ac.uk

March2020-Financial

SupportApplication

Formopen

www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk

www.gov.uk/studentfinance

EndofApril2020 DeadlinefortheFinancialSupportFormstobereturned.

May-June2020

FinalStatementofDecisionmustbesenttoUCAS.(You

canonlyholdtwooffers,onefirmchoice,theotheras

insurance.)KEEPANEYEONDATESONUCASWEBSITE.

June–July2020

ClearingDocumentationwillbesentbyUCAStostudents

withoutanoffer.Makesureyoukeepthisdocumentina

safeplace.

13thAugust2020

ResultsDay-confirmationofanofferismade.Students

whoarenotplacedwillautomaticallyreceivedetailsof

clearingfromUCAS.Youmustbeavailableinpersonto

makecontactwiththeuniversities–makesureyouarein

thecountry.

August2020RemainingvacanciesarefilledthroughClearingandUCAS

Extra.31stAugust–Adjustmentends

September2020 Universitycoursesbegin

important dates 19/20

THEEARLIERYOUSENDINYOURUCAS

APPLICATION,THEMORELIKELYITISTHATYOU

WILLRECEIVEANOFFER

ChoosingaHigherEducationCourse

Step1Decideonthesubjectareayouwishtoapplyfor–refertothelistbelowforhelp,ifyouhaveno

• www.ucas.com-UCASCoursesearch

• www.ukcoursefinder.com

• www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

• www.merlinhelpsstudents.com

• ArrangeforanappointmentwithGillSouthon,theschool’sCIAGadvisor

REMEMBER tofocusonthesubjectareasthatyouenjoy

andfindinteresting.

Step2Compilealistofcoursetitlestobeconsideredtogetherwiththerelevantuniversities.

Todothisuse:

• theUCASwebsite–www.ucas.com

• universityprospectuses/websites

REMEMBERtoberealisticaboutthegradesyouarelikelyto

achieve.Also,considerthelocationoftheuniversitycampusor

city/townaswellasthegeographiclocation.

Step3Producea“shortlist”ofcoursetitlesanduniversities.

Thisstepwillrequiremorethoroughresearch:

• Useuniversityprospectusesandwebsites.

• Gotowww.unistats.com–theofficialuniversityteachingqualitysite.

• Visittheuniversitiesyouareinterestingin.

• Phoneoremailuniversityadmissionstutors–wellworthdoing

REMEMBERthateachuniversitycanprovidegraduate

destinationinformation.Findoutaboutsportingactivities,

clubsetc.aswellasaccommodation.

Step4Decideuponafinallistof5coursesforyourUCASapplication,thiswillcostyou£24.

REMEMBER auniversitycourseis3or4yearslong,soitis

worthspendingthetimechoosingtherightcourseintheright

university.

Step5Attenduniversityopendays,askquestionsandtakephotographs:visitwww.opendays.com.

Next,narrowthefieldtotwo:afirstchoiceandaninsuranceoffer(thisisacoursethatrequires

lowergrades).

UsefulHigherEducationWebsites

www.ucas.com-isessentialviewingforallhighereducationcoursesandapplicationprocedures

www.unistats.com-offersofficialteachingqualityinformationonUKuniversities

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk-givescomprehensiveinformationonallaspectsof

UCASforstudents,parentsandcarers,coveringcoursesandfinance

www.thebigchoice.com-givesanoverviewofuniversitiesandcourses

www.push.co.uk-isauser-friendlyguidetouniversitychoice

www.ukcoursefinder.com-isafreeon-linetest,whichsuggestspossibledegreecoursesto

matchanapplicant’sinterests

www.thestudentroom.co.uk-isastudentforumofferinginformationanddiscussionabout

universityandtheapplication’sprocedure

www.ukcat.ac.uk-UKCATisthewaytoapplyonlinetosittheUKclinicalaptitudetestfor

medicineanddentistry–requiredbymostmedicalschools

www.bmat.org.uk-BMATgivesinformationontheBiomedicalAdmissionsTest–requiredby

medicalandveterinaryschools

www.lnat.ac.uk-LNAT–isthewaytoapplyonlinetosittheNationalAdmissionsTestrequired

formostlawschools

www.indeed.co.uk/Foundation-Degree-Courses-goheretoviewthenew2yearworkrelated

HigherEducationQualifications

www.opendays.com-documentswhenopendaysandtastercoursesarebeingrun–searchby

college/universityandmonthofvisit

www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport-givesinformationaboutfinanceandstudentloans,includes

listofLEAs

www.slc.co.uk-istheofficialsitefortheStudentsLoansCompany

www.scholarship-search.org.uk-offersinformationaboutscholarshipsandawards

www.prospects.ac.uk-istheUKofficialgraduatecareerswebsite

www.thetimes.co.uk,www.independent.co.uk,www.telegraph.co.uk,www.guardian.co.uk

Manynationalnewspapersalsoproduceuniversity

sectionsatkeypointsintheyear,certainly

atresultstimeandinSeptember.

Keepalookoutforthemorvisitthesewebsites:

UCASPointsTariff

A-level

A* A B C D E

56 48 40 32 24 16

Considerwhether,asanindividual,thereareanyotherUCASpointsthatcouldbe

usedtoboostthetotal,forexample,thoseinvolvedinYoungEnterprise,Dukeof

Edinburghetc.

* PleasenoteArtFoundationcoursesdonotrequireapplicationviaUCAS.You

shouldapplydirecttocollegesandprovideaportfolioofwork.

CalculateaUCASpointstotal.

Berealisticwiththecalculationofthepoints

EndofYear12:……………….

(accordingtoprogressgrades/mockexams)

EndofYear13:……………….

QuickSkillsAudit

Workingonyourown,orwithanotherstudent,identifytheskillsthatyouhave,orhaveused

andrecordthembelow.

Communication Caringforothers Photography

Numeracy Negotiation Cookery

UsingIT Showingmotivation Publicspeaking

Teamworking Motivatingothers Decorating

Problemsolving Designingandmaking Givingpresentations

Timemanagement FirstAid Copingwithnewsituations

Planning Driving Analysinginformation

Organising Mapreading Repairingmachines

Whatdoyoudo? Whatskillsdoyouuse?Hobbiesandinterests

Subjectsandcourses

Other:(sports,organisations,performances)

ApplyingtoHE

Therearesomeimportantdecisionstomakeinthisprocess.Completingthetick

boxesbelowwillhelptofocusideas.

1. Choiceofcourse

Iwouldlikeacoursethat:

□ isthesameorsimilartooneormoreofmyA-levelsubjects

□ isrelatedtoaninterestoutsideofmystudies

□ willprovidemewithpreparationforafuturecareer

2. Typeofdegree

ThetypeofdegreeIwouldliketostudyforis:

□ singlehonours–onesubjectonly

□ jointhonours–twosubjects,equaltimespentonboth

□ combinedhonours–twoormoresubjects,proportionofeachmayvary

□ modular–widerangeofchoiceandflexibility

□ sandwich/placement–anorganisedperiodoftimespentinindustryorabroad

□ Foundation

□ HigherNationalDiploma(HND)

3. Placeofstudy

Usetheprospectusestomakesurethatyouareconsideringinstitutionsthatwillsuityou.

Ticktheboxesthatapplytoyou:

□ Iwouldliketostudyatalargeuniversity

□ Iwouldliketostudyatasmalluniversity

□ Iwouldliketogotoacampusuniversity

□ Itisimportanttometogotoauniversitywithagoodreputation

□ ItisimportantthatthedepartmentIgotowithintheuniversityhasagood

reputation

□ Iwouldliketoliveinacity

□ GraduatedestinationsfromtheuniversityIgotoareimportanttome

□ Sportingfacilitiesareimportanttome

□ Iwanttogosomewherewithanactivestudents’union

□ Iwanttogosomewherewithinreasonabledistancefromhome

□ Iwanttogosomewherefarfromhome

□ Iwanttostudysomewherewithindailytravellingdistanceofhome

4. Wheretolive

□ Iwanttogosomewherewherehallsofresidenceareguaranteedforfirstyear

students

□ IwanttogosomewherewhereIcanliveindependently,forexampleinashared

□ Iwanttolivesomewherewheremymealsareprovided(catered)

□ Iwanttoliveathome

Choices

Researchisneededbeforecompletingthissection.Gotowww.ucas.comorindividualuniversity

websites.

TheuniversitiesIamconsideringare:

Name Reason

Remembertoberealistic!

Recalculateapointstotalusingthepromptsbelow.

Thesubjectsbeingstudiedandthegradesbeingaimedforare:

Thegradesbeingpredictedbyteachersare:

Thefollowingcoursesmatchmylevelofentryqualification(AlevelgradesorUCASpointstotal):

Thecoursesbeingconsideredare:

University Coursetitle StandardOffer

PersonalStatements

1. Begintorecordusefulinformationforyourpersonalstatementassoonaspossible;

consultyourNationalRecordofAchievement,ifyouhaveone.

2. Asksomebodyelseaboutyourachievementsandstrengths.

3. Donotminimiseyourachievements–mentionthemloudlyandproudly.

4. Avoidbeginningyourstatementwithphraseslike“Iamapplyingforthiscourse

because…”Youshouldendeavourtowritetoattractattentionintheopeningsentence.

5. Elaborateongeneralstatements,eg“Ienjoyreading…”(What?),“Ienjoygoingtothe

cinema”(Toseewhattypeoffilm?Whatdirectorsareyoumostinterestedin?)

6. DONOTLIE,OVEREXAGGERATEorPLAGIARISE!

7. Alwayskeepinmindtheimpressionyouwanttomakeonyourreader.

8. Usehelpfulsites–www.ucas.com(Thishasashortvideocliponhowtowriteapersonal

statement–clickonStudents,Applying,HowtoApply,YourPersonalStatement).

www.studential.com,www.merlinhelpsstudents.com

KeyPoints

Explainwhyyouwanttostudythecourseyouareapplyingfor.Ifyoumentionyourpersonal

interestsandhobbies,trytolinkthemtotheskillsandexperiencerequiredbythecourse.

Thepersonalstatementcouldbeusedasthebasisforaninterview,sobepreparedtoanswer

questionsonit.

ThePersonalStatementmaybetheonlywrittenworkthatthecoursetutorseesbeforemaking

adecision:makesureitisorganisedandliterate.Payattentiontogrammar,spellingand

punctuation.Astatementfilledwitherrorswillgiveanegativeimpressionofyourwriting

abilityandtheeffortyouhavemadeinapplying.YourstatementmustbewritteninEnglish(or

itcanbeinWelshifyouareapplyingtoWelshuniversitiesandcolleges).

TheUndergraduateAdmissionsManageratTheUniversityofNottinghamtoldus:

“Thesetypesofskillsarethebasicsthatacademicswillexpectfromsomeoneatthislevelof

education.Incorrectspelling,poorgrammarandpunctuationcanmakeapoorimpressionon

thereader.ForcoursessuchasEnglish,theseskillsareofparamountimportance.'

Writingaboutyourselfisprobablynotsomethingyoudoveryoften,soyoumightneedto

practisewritinginthisparticularstyle.Itisagoodideatolistyourhobbiesandachievements,

beforedecidingupontheonesthatdemonstrateyourstrongestskillsandpersonality.”

personal statements

HowtoWriteaPersonalStatement

Twoimportantthingstoincludeinapersonalstatementare:

Thereasonsforapplyingforthecourseyou'vechosen

Thisisparticularlyimportantwhenyou'reapplyingforasubjectthatyouhavenot

studiedbefore.Telltheuniversitythereasonswhythesubjectinterestsyou,andinclude

evidencetoshowyouunderstandwhatisrequiredbythecourse,egifapplyingfor

psychologycoursesshowthatyouknowhowscientificthesubjectis.

Thereasonswhyyou'resuitableforthecourse

Telltheuniversitytutorabouttheskillsandexperienceyouhavehadthatwillhelpyou

tosucceedonthecourse.

Makesureyouthinkabout:

• howyourcurrentorpreviousstudiesrelatetothecourse(s)thatyouhavechosen

• anyactivitiesthatdemonstrateyourinterestinthecourse(s)

• whyyouwanttogotouniversityorcollege

Therearereasonswhyapplicationsareunsuccessful:

• Thepersonalstatementmaynotshowsufficientunderstanding,relevanceorknowledge

aboutthecoursebeingappliedfor.

• Thepersonalstatementmaynotstronglysupportyourdesiretostudyyourchosen

degreeorcourse.

• Theremaybeafailureindemonstratingsufficientknowledgeandinterestinthesubject

inyourpersonalstatement.

• Theremaybecompetitionforplacesonapopularcourseandthepersonalstatementand

experiencedocumentedisnotasstrongasotherapplicants.

• Theapplicationform(includingpersonalstatement,referenceandpredictedgrades)does

notevidenceaccurateunderstandingof,ormotivationfor,asubject.

• Thepersonalstatementdoesnotexpressastrongenoughinterestinthesubjectareaof

choice.

Itisimportanttoshowwhyyouwanttostudythecourseand

whatyoucanbringtoit-especiallyasadmissionstutors

compareapplicationsforthesamecourse.

DosandDon'ts

Thingstodo,andnottodo,whenwritingyourpersonalstatement

ü Docreatealistofyourideasbeforeattemptingtowritetherealthing.

ü Doexpecttoproduceseveraldraftsbeforebeingtotallyhappy.

ü Doaskpeopleyoutrustfortheirfeedback.

ü Docheckuniversityandcollegeprospectuses,websitesandEntryProfiles,asthey

usuallytellyouthecriteriaandqualitiesthattheywanttheirstudentstodemonstrate.

ü DouseyourbestEnglish/Welshanddon'tletspellingandgrammaticalerrorsspoilyour

statement.

ü Dobeenthusiastic-ifyoushowyourinterestinthecourse,itmayhelpyousecurea

place.

û Don'tfeelthatyouneedtouseelaboratelanguage.Ifyoutrytoohardtoimpresswith

longwordsthatyouarenotconfidentusing,thefocusofyourwritingmaybelost.

û Don'tsaytoomuchaboutthingsthatarenotrelevant–redraftifyouthinkthatyou

have.Takeabreakandreturntoyourstatementwhenyoufeelmorefocused.

û Don'tlie-ifyouexaggerateyoumaygetcaughtoutintheinterviewifaskedto

elaborateonaninterestingachievement.

û Don'trelyonacomputerspell-checkerasitwillnotcorrectallmistakes-proofreadas

manytimesaspossible.

û Don'tleaveittothelastminute-yourstatementwillappearrushed,andimportant

informationmaybeleftout.

û Don'texpecttobeabletowriteyourpersonalstatementwhilewatchingTVorsurfing

theinternet-thisisyourfuture.

ApplyingtoMultipleCourses

Rememberthatyouonlywriteonepersonalstatement,whichwillbeusedforallyour

choices.Trynottomentionauniversityorcollegebyname,evenifyou'reapplyingtoonlyone

place,becauseyourpersonalstatementcannotbechangedifyouapplytoadifferentinstitution

-later.

Ifyou'reapplyingforajointdegreeyouwillneedtoexplainwhyyouareinterestedin

bothaspectsofthejointprogramme.

Ifyou'reapplyingfordifferentsubjectsorcourses,youneedtoidentifythecommon

themesandskillsthatarerelevanttoyourchoices.Forexample,bothmathematicsandlaware

subjectswhereyouhavetothinklogicallyandapplyrules.Youmaylikebothsubjectsbecause

youenjoysolvingproblems,usingtheory,andnaturalorman-madelawstocometoacorrect

conclusion.

Ifyourchosencoursescan'tbelinkedbyacommontheme,thinkaboutyourreasonsfor

applyingforsuchvariedcourses-itmightbeusefultospeaktoacareersadvisertogetsome

guidance.

Ifyoumentionasubjectinyourpersonalstatementandareapplyingforothercourses,

youmaybeaskedbytheuniversityorcollegeforadditionalinformationastowhyyouhave

doneso.

AttractAttention

Somestatementsstartwithquotes,someincludejokes,andotherssetouttobeunusualor

eye-catchinginotherways.Sometimesitworks,butitmighthavetheoppositeeffecttowhat

youhoped.Theadmissions’officermaynotshareyoursenseofhumour,sobecarefulwhen

tryingtomakeyouropeningstatementstandout.

WhattoWriteAbout

Tohelptheprocess,usethepromptboxesbelow.

1. Reasonsforyourchoiceofcourse

2. Backgroundtoyourinterestinthesubject

3. Workexperience/part-timeworkrelevanttoyoursubjectchoice–skills/experience

4. Particularinterestsincurrentstudies,especiallyifrelevanttochoiceofdegreecourse

tutor time tasks

5. Careeraspirations

6. Leisure-time/sporting/socialinterests/SKILLSgained

7. OtherachievementsegDofEAward,positionsofresponsibility,anythingthatmakesyou

“standout”.

8. Anyotherexperiences/awards/extensivetravel(don’tforgetthismaybeveryrelevantto

yourcoursechoice)

DeferredEntry

Deferredentrymeansyoutoapplyforuniversitythisyear,foraplaceinSept2021.

1. Givereasonsforadeferredentryintheapplication.

2. Outlinewhatthegapyearwillbeusedtodo.Wherepossible,makethegapyear

relevanttoyourchoiceofdegree,andshowthatyou’rekeepingyourmindactive.

PersonalStatements

PersonalStatement:Example1

MyClassicaljourneystartedin2015atOxfordUniversity'sFacultyofClassics.Through

selectiontostudyforanadditionalGCSEinLatinonSaturdays(OXLATOutreachProgramme),a

passionwasignitedinmeforRomanLinguisticsandLiteratureandtheenthrallingaspectsof

RomanSociety.LearningLatinhashelpedmedevelopskillsinlogicalcognitionand

grammaticalanalysis,vitaltoolsforfutureacademicdiscourse.MyloveofPhilosophyalso

knowsnolimitsandextendsfromClassicalPhilosophyto20thCenturyideassuchas

Existentialism.Asaresult,Iamnowhighlymotivatedtopursueadegreeencompassingboth

ClassicsandPhilosophy.

Tomydelight,myongoingstudyofClassicshasbeenpossiblethankstotheOxfordTrinity

CollegeAdvancedClassicsCourse(2017-2019)-acompellingundertakingofAncientGreek,

CivilisationandClassicalLiterature.Thecoursehasexposedmetotextswithapersonal

touch,suchasbywritersCatullus,Sapphoandmymostadmired,MarcusAurelius.Tacklingsuch

textswithabackgroundinAlevelPsychologyallowsmetoreachfascinatingconclusionsabout

theauthors.Forexample,IbelieveMarcusAureliusused'Meditations'totemperhisnegative

emotions.

Greekartefactsareanotherareaofinterest,sparkingfrommyattendanceoftheAshmolean

lectureentitled'GreekVasePaintersandtheTrojanWar'andflourishingduringmytimeat

ReadingUniversity'sUreMuseum.HandlingthesepreciousremnantsbroughttheHellenistic

periodtolifeandunearthedquestionsastowhattheAncientsregardedas'beautiful'.The

subjectivityofbeautyisalsoofPhilosophicalinteresttome.NeilMacGregor'sthought

provoking'AHistoryoftheWorldin100Objects'openedmyeyestoearlycross-culturalism,

andkindledadesiretoinvestigatetheriseofmonotheisticreligions.

Inanentirelyself-taughtmanner,myknowledgehasprogressednaturallyfromClassicsto

Philosophy.IamatthestageofhavingreadtitlessuchasNigelWarburton's'Philosophy:The

Classics'and'Think'bySimonBlackburn.Philosophypodcastsarealsoapartofmydaily

life,with'PhilosophizeThis!'and'PhilosophyBites'beingamongstmyfavourites.

ThesynthesisbetweenClassicsandPhilosophycanbeseenintheHellenisticSchoolsof

Thought,whoseconflictingideasonhowtoleada'GoodLife'resonatewithme.WhatIfind

evenmoreinterestingistheprolongedandfarreachingappealofStoicismthroughouttheages

-documentedbythreediversewriters:Senecathestatesman,MarcusAureliustheemperor,

andEpictetustheex-slave.MyattendanceatStoicon2018(internationalStoicismconference),

hasallowedmetoinvestigatetheethicaldoctrinesofStoicisminacontemporarycontext.

OutsideofPhilosophyandClassics,ArtandLanguagesaremyfurtherlove-hencemyotherA

Levels.MypassionforArtencapsulatesmanydifferentmedia,andinparticularillustration.

ThroughmyartisticendeavoursIhavelearnttoappreciateaestheticsandfindmyselfviewing

exemplar

theworldthroughacriticallens,withaneyefordetail.Ialsovolunteeratalocalart

centre,supportingandencouragingchildrentoexploretheirownartistictalents.Igain

personalandprofessionalsatisfactionfromthis,aswellasdevelopingmyteachingskills.

HavingbeenexposedtospokenItalianfrombirth,IfeelastrongconnectiontoRomance

Languages.AlevelSpanishre-enforcesthis.ThelinksbetweenSpanish,Italian,Latinand

Greekintrigueme,andthroughexplorationoftexts,Ilovetograpplewiththestructuresand

complexitiesofthesecaptivatinglanguages.

IhavereachedapointinmyacademicjourneywhereIamcravingtheopportunitytodelve

deeperintobothPhilosophyandClassics,whileembracingthechallengesandexcitementofa

formaluniversitysetting.IcanthinkofnothingInowrelishmorethanengagingin

discussionandexchangingideaswiththosesharingmyenthusiasmforthesewonderful

disciplines.

Tome,Psychologyisnotjustaboutthehow'sandwhy'softhemind,butwhatyoucandoto

improve,inspireandinnovateperceptionsandrelationshipsaroundyou.Fouryearsago,my

cousinwasdiagnosedwithautism;seeinghimstrugglewithsocialdevelopmentIwantedto

learnmoreabouttheconditionandhowtofacilitatehisneeds.Iamaninquisitive

individual,whoendeavourstoprovidepositiveguidancetothosearoundme.Helpingand

supportingpeopleisahugepartofmylifeandbeingabletoempathiseisaqualityIam

proudof,andisoneofthereasonsIwanttostudypsychologyandpursueacareerasan

educationalpsychologist.

MyAlevelstudieshaveintroducedmetobiologicalpsychologyandIhavedevelopedakeen

interestinFreud'spsychodynamicexplanationofpersonalitydevelopment.Thisconcepthas

furtherprovokedmypassiontounderstandmoraldilemmas,togetherwithmyenthusiasmfor

cognitionandmentalprocesseswhichhavegivenmeasolidfoundationtofurthermystudiesin

thisarea.Daytoday,IfindmyselfobservingothersandputtingthoseskillsIhavelearnt

intopractice.Forexample,recognisingandunderstandingthecausesofaperson'sreactionto

aparticularsituation,suchasobedience,conformityoraggression.Ihaveaveryanalytical

mindandbelievethiswillenhancemylearningofthissubject.Myattentiontodetailanda

questioningmindsetisadditionalqualitiesthathelpmetounderstandnewtheories.

Iamespeciallyinterestedinworkingwithchildrenasthisisamostcriticaltimeina

person'slifeintermsofimpressionabilityandgoverningtheircapacitytolearn.Thishas

ledmetotakeonworkexperiencewithinalocalprimaryschool,whereIhavegained

first-handexperienceofhowchildreninteractwiththeirpeersandteachers.Iworkedclosely

withachildwhohadADHD,andwasabletomanagethedifferencewiththeirneedsand

integratethemintoagroupsetting,alongwithdevelopingmypatienceandencouraging

inclusivenessfromthewholeclass.

Furthermore,ItookonworkexperienceatITinfrastructureproviderSoftcatwhereIdeveloped

interpersonalskills.Theseskillshavebenefittedmegreatlywhenworkingaspartofateam

andlearningtocompromiseandcooperatewithdifferentindividuals.Thejobdrovemeto

performefficientlyandaccuratelyunderpressure.IenhancedmyITknowledgeandwasableto

usemyinitiativetotakeonnewtasksandlearnnewprocesses.Thishasbeenaninvaluable

experiencewhereIcoulddevelopbusinessandteamworkskillswhichIhavebeenabletoapply

notonlyinaworkenvironment,butalsowhencommunicatingwithalltypesofpeople.

Awayfromschool,Idedicatetimethroughmychurchtosupportingahomelesscentreon

Mondaynights.Thoseattendingreceiveshelter,warmth,foodaswellasadviceabouthousing

andjobseeking.IenjoymeetingnewpeopleandcateringforthoselessfortunatethanI.In

addition,IvolunteerattheSalvationArmy;alloftheseopportunitieshaveshapedmycareer

pathandencouragedmetoberespectfulandkindtoothers.Ihavebeenfortunateenoughto

converseandinterminglewitharangeofpeople;inwhichacknowledgingtheirneedshas

inspiredmetofurtherpursuemystudiesintopsychology.

Inmysparetime,Ienjoyphotographybecauseithasgivenmeakeeneyeforobservingthe

worldaroundme.Anotherpassionofmineismusic;Ihaveachievedgrade4pianothusfarand

amself-taughttoplaytheviolin.Tabletennisisahobbyofmine;wehaveatabletennis

clubatmylocalchurchandIamregularlyinvolvedincompetitions.Ienjoysocialisingand

talkingtonewpeople;myextra-curricularactivitieshaveenabledmetobeperseverantunder

pressurewhilemaintainingmyhighscholasticstandards.

Overall,Ibelievethispsychologycoursewouldbeidealtohelpmedevelopintomychosen

careerand,asacommittedstudent,myworkethoswouldbeanassettotheUniversity.

Withoutalawandjusticesystemourcivilizationwouldnotbewhatitistoday,itdefines

rightandwrongandprovidesstructuretooursociety.Myenthusiasmforacareerinlawwas

awakenedwiththestartofmyA-Levelstudies.Consequently,Iamcontinuallyseeking

opportunitiestoexpandmyknowledgeinallareasofthelaw,withthehopeofhavingacareer

inthissectoraftergraduating.

ThroughstudyingLawatA-Level,Ihavebeenabletoinvestigatedifferentsectorsingreater

detailandbyreviewingrelevantcasesIhavebeenabletounderstandhowitaffectspeoplein

differentwaysandinmostcasesbringsjusticetothosewhodeserveit.TheLawGazettehas

beeninvaluableinexpandingmyknowledgeofthelaw.Asanavidreader,ithasallowedmeto

betterunderstandthesubject,seehowthelawisaffectingeverydaylifeandhownewcaselaw

isimpactinglawyersandthelegalsector.Furthermore,fromvisitingbothReadingCrownCourt

andWycombeMagistratesCourt,Iwasabletoseelawyersinactionwhichfurtherconfirmed

thatthisisacareerIwanttopursue.Thesevisitsmademethinkaboutthemorepractical

applicationsofthelawratherthanjusttheorywhich,hasenabledmetomakebetter-rounded,

criticalargumentsinmystudies.Iamalsoagroupleaderofalawstudygroup,wherewemeet

regularlytodiscussourindependentstudyandcreateareadinglogandnewspaperclipping

bookforfurtherdebate.

MychoicesofA-Levelsubjects,asidefromlaw,areEnglishLiteratureandSpanish.Ienjoy

facingchallengesfromallthreeofthesesubjectsandtheskillstheyrequireareall

relevanttothestudyoflaw.Englishliteraturedemandsgoodwriting,analyticalandresearch

skills.IntakingalanguageIhaveshownacommitmenttoadifficultsubjectinthebelief

thattheabilitytobefluentinSpanishwillpotentiallybenefitmycareeratalaterstage.

In2018,IattendedahighlybeneficialoneweekplacementatEdenSolicitorsHighWycombe.

Thiswasaneyeopeningexperiencewhichallowedmetoexploredifferenttypesoflawsuchas

childconduct,propertyandasylum.Thisworkexperiencesawmeworkingwithprofessionals

withinthesectorandenabledmetoseefirsthandhowalawfirmoperates.

During2017,IstartedmyfirstjobatCosta.Thejobhelpedmeimprovemyteamworkand

communicationskillswhicharehighlyimportantinaclientfacingrole.Additionally,Ihave

volunteeredatmylocalprimaryschoolfrom2013until2017.Taskedwithjobssuchashelping

withsportsdays,presentationsandadminworkwithintheoffice,ithasallowedmyskillset

toimproveinareassuchasattentiontodetail,communicationskillsandcreativity:allof

whichareskillsthatalawyerrequires.

Fortunately,myschoolhavegivenmemanyopportunitiestoexpressmyideasandviews.Through

beingamemberoftheschoolcouncil,Ihavebeenallowedtovoicethesuggestionsofmypeers

whichhasimprovedmylisteningandcommunicationskills.IwasalsoaprefectinYear11

whichallowedmetomotivateandencouragefellowstudentsanddevelopmyskillsasaleader.

Sincejoiningsixthform,IhavebeenappointedseniorprefectandfromthisIhavebecomea

year7mentor;thisroleallowsmetohelpandadvisenewstudents.

Studyingatuniversityhasbeenmyambitionformanyyears,asIwouldbethefirstgeneration

withinmyfamilytocompleteadegree.Also,Iattendedasecondarymodernschoolina

selectedsystemwhichIbelievehasbeenadisadvantage.Ihavealwaysworkedveryhardfor

whatIhaveachieved,andIbelievethishasgivenmetheconfidencetostriveforwhatIwant

outoflifeespecially,withinthelegalsector.

Thecomplexitiesofourenvironment,andhowtechnologycanbeharnessedtosolveproblems

toreducethatcomplexity,areofgreatinteresttome.IamintriguedbytheuseofAIinnew

technologiesandespeciallyinspacetravel.Forexample,SpaceX'sdevelopmentofapersonal

assistantthatprovidestechnicalsupporttoastronauts(CIMON),andtheAIwithintheir

self-landingliquidfuelboostersdesignedforreuseandcommercialspacetravel.

IwouldliketopursueacareerinComputerScienceinordertoexplorefurtherthedesignand

applicationofcomputersystemsandartificialintelligencetosupport,replaceandenhance

humanactivityineverydaylife.

A-levelMathshasgivenmetheproblemsolvingandlogicalmind-setwhichIbelievewillbe

crucialtostudyingatuniversity.StudyingPhysicshasgivenmetheopportunitytoexplore

newandchallengingideasandconcepts,increasedmyanalyticalskillsandhashelpedme

understandhowasciencedisciplinerelatestotherealworldandourdailylives.Studying

Computinghasbuiltonthisandgivenmeanewperspectivefromwhichtoseeandunderstand

howbroadersystemscanbeenhancedandadaptedthroughtheuseofnewtechnologies.

MydesiretopursueaComputerSciencedegreeandmyunderstandingofthepracticalitiesof

applyingcomputertheorywerereinforcedwhenIinstalledacomputernetworkinmyhome

andbuiltmyownPCwhichgavemeaninsightintothetrade-offbetweencostand

performance.Asakeensportsman,Ihavebeenabletodemonstrateteamworkskillsandan

unrelentingcommitmenttoachievingmygoalsandthoseoftheteamunderpressure.Ihave

playedbothrugbyandhockeyforMarlow,andIhaverowedatvariousregattasandheadsof

theriverincludingNationalSchools,gainingschoolcoloursintheprocess.

Ihaveanopenmind-setandreadilytakeonnewexperiences,ideasandresponsibilities.Iwas

aprefectatschool,haveparticipatedinaninternationalscoutcampinSwitzerland,andover

theSummerIworkedatanoutdooractivitycentrewhereIhelpedleadoutdooractivitiesand

workedwithyoungerchildren.Eachhasbroadenedmyrangeofexperiencesandhelpedmeto

improvemycommunicationskillsandbecomemoreconfident,independentandresilient.

AsanactivePADIRescueDiverandanemergencyFirstResponderIhavefirstaidtrainingand

amabletoplanandleaddives.Thishasallowedmetoimprovemyleadershipand

communicationskillsunderpressureanddeveloptheabilitytothinkfastandfindthebest

outcomesquickly.

Ilookforwardtotheopportunitytoresearchmodulessuchas:computingtheory,systems

applications,computerengineering,softwareengineeringandartificialintelligenceatdegree

level.

Computingandhowitcanbeappliedtothehumansystemandnewdiscoveriesreallyexcite

me.Withmyenthusiasmanddrivetosucceed,Ibelievethatthiscoursewillhelpmefulfilmy

ambitiontopursueacareerinComputerScience.

Ihavefoundthatliterature,asadeviceofcommunication,servesasaconduitforconveying

awriter'semotionsandsensitivitiesuponareaderoraudience.Whenawriter'ssubject

matteriscontroversial,themessagecantranscendthetimeofproductiontoresonatewith

laterreadersoraudiences,whichisfascinating.Atuniversity,Ilookforwardtobroadening

myknowledgeandunderstandingofliteraryvoiceswhosewritinghasescapedtheparametersand

conventionsoftheirtime;andwhoseworksstillservetoinspireandresonate.

StudyingShakespeareatA-levelhaschallengedmetoconsidertheimportanceofhisworkover

time.TakeShakespeare'sOthello:bycraftingsuchafinale,inwhichthefemaleprotagonists

arepunishedforchallengingthestatusquo,Shakespearekeepsthecensorsonside,buthis

women'sconfrontationofpatriarchaldominanceisprevalenttoday.Thistiesinwithmy

participationinthefeministsocietyatschool,whichhasheightenedmyawarenessof

alternativeinterpretations,whilemyindependentinterestinthelifeandworksofAphra

Behn,especiallyherpoetry,hasbeenofparticularinteresttomyfeministstancesince

listeningtotheBBCpodcast"InOurTime".

FollowingaCreativeWritingProgrammeinVenicelastOctober,Ihavebeenabletoidentify

thetranscendenceofotherliteraturesuchasthepoetryofLordByronwhose"ChildeHarold's

Pilgrimage"includesthepoem,"IStoodinVenice".ByvisitingVeniceandviewingits

magnificenceformyself,ItrulyappreciatedthecreativeuseoflanguagethatBryoncommands.

Byronacknowledgestheeffectoftime:"musicnotalwaysnowtheear:thosedaysaregone"yet

the"glory"ofVeniceiscaptured,paradedandhonouredinaremarkableway.Furthermore,I

foundthatvisitingVenice,withitsrichpastofdecadenceanddramatictragedy,gavea

backgroundcontexttobothOthelloandmyA-levelhistory.

Aninterestinlinguistics,furtheredbymyFrenchA-level,hasextendedmyunderstandingof

languageandhassharpenedmyanalysisskills.Studyingalanguagehasledmetobemore

articulate:ofgreatbenefitifspeakinginadebate.Beingaprominentmemberofthedebate

clubhasbeenbeneficialasithasencouragedmetoevaluatecontradictoryevidence;makingme

morecriticallyaware.

Sinceworkingonmyschool'swebsite,astheirfirstSixthFormCorrespondent,Ihave

developedajournalisticstyleofwriting.Therolehasturnedmeintoasmall-scalepublished

writer,whichhasgivenaninsightintotheliterarychoicesthataremadebetweendraftand

publication.Thisexperience,inconjunctionwithmyworkexperienceatTheTelegraph

newspaper,haswhettedadesireforacareerintheliteraryworld.ThemoreliteratureI

encounter,themoreconsciousIamoftheplethoraofvoicesutilisedbywriters.Manyspeak

ofhavingthegerminationofanideabutfindingthebestvoicetowriteintakestime.

Agreaterconfidencetoexperimentwithvoicesindramahasbeenfosteredbymyparticipation

inperformingartsproductions;Ihaveparticularlyenjoyedfindingwaystoshowcaseplotand

message.Myexperienceofuniversitylife,withtheNationalCitizenshipService,gaveme

furtheropportunitiestoexploreliveproductions.Finally,myabilitytoevaluateliterature

hasbeenenhancedwhenmentoringstudentswhosegraspofEnglishliteratureislessthanthat

oftheirpeers,yetdiscussionswiththemhashighlightedhowwriterschallengetheirreaders

tothink:thebestliterature,itseems,findsawaytospeaktoreadersofallability

levels.Moreover,volunteeringwithchildrenwithadditionalneeds,atalocalsportsclub,

hasdemonstratedhowpowerfullanguageisasacommunicationtool.

Toconclude,Ilookforwardcriticallyexploringliteraturetextsatuniversity:itpromises

tofurthermypassionforthisengagingsubjectandIamtrulyexcitedbytheprospect.

Thehumanbody fascinatesme.Formanyyears Ihavebeen intriguedby theway inwhichourbodies

workandinparticular,thephysiologicalresponsestoinjury.

Asakeensportsmanmyself,Ifullyunderstandthefrustrationsufferinganinjurycanbring.Itakeagreat

interest in the range ofmusculoskeletal problems sustained; how andwhy they occur as well as the

treatment necessary to return individuals to full fitness. I aspire to be able to diagnose and help

individualsrecoverfromsuchinjuriesaswellascardiovascular,respiratory,andneurologicaldisorders.

NotonlywouldthisgivemegreatsatisfactionbutwouldbeaprocessIwouldundertakewithpassion.

Baseduponmyenthusiasmforthisarea,IchosetostudyBiology,PsychologyandPhysicalEducationat

A-Level.Therangeoftopicscoveredacrossmycourses isdiverseandincludeareasfromneuronaland

hormonal communication in biology to social impact theory of obedience in psychology. I particularly

enjoyedamoduleinPEfocusingonsportsinjury.Thedetailedstudyofhumananatomyinbiologywould

provideasolidgroundingaheadofthiscourse.Iwouldnowliketoextendmyknowledgebystudyingthis

degreeatuniversitywithaviewtomakephysiotherapymycareer.

Overthesummer,Icompletedaworkexperienceplacementataprivatephysiotherapyandsport

rehabilitationclinic.Ienjoyedbeingabletoexperiencefirst-handthetreatmentrequiredforarangeof

problemsandtheinteractionsbetweenthepatientandthephysio.Bywitnessingindividuals'satisfaction

ofrecoveringfromaninjury,myambitiontostudythisasadegreewasreinforced.Inaddition,Ihelda

part-timeeveningjobatTheIvyMarlowGardenrestaurant,displayingmyabilitytoworkhard,andbe

committedtoatask.

Inmysparetime,Iplayrugbybothformylocalclub,Marlow,aswellasatBuckinghamshireCountylevel.

Iwas alsoprivileged tobe involved in theWaspsAcademydevelopmentprogramme for a numberof

seasons,exposingmetohighperformingathletesandprofessional support staffandphysios.Through

sport,Ihavedevelopedvaluablelifeskillssuchastheabilitytoworkeffectivelywithothers.Ibelievethis

skillisfundamentaltothesuccessofateamandisequallynecessaryinanenvironmentwherepeople's

healthandwellbeingareimportant.

Inadditiontoplayingrugby,Ihavealsocoachedyoungerstudentsatmyschoolforseveralseasons.This

responsibilitydevelopedmy leadershipandcommunicationskillsaswellasdemonstratesmyability to

haveempathywith,relatetoandcareforothers.Mycontributionswererecognisedbytheteachingstaff

whenIwasawardedtheKS4SportsLeaderoftheYearaward.

Ienjoyparticipating inandwatchingseveralothersportstoo,givingmeanextensiveunderstandingof

commonproblemsthatmayoccurforparticipantsandthewaysinwhichtheymaybeprevented.

Withinschool,furthertobeingselectedinYear11asaprefect,Ihavethisyearbeenappointedtherole

of Deputy Head Boy. This fantastic position of responsibility requires me to work closely with both

membersofstaffandtheseniorprefectteam.Asarolemodelandmentor,Isupportyoungerstudents

through theirGCSEchoicesandotheracademic issues. I alsoenjoy taking toursaround the school for

prospective students, as well as delivering speeches at school events. The position has given me a

brilliantopportunitytogrowasapersonandadvancemycommunicationandleadershipskills,andIalso

feelveryproudtohavebeenselected.BeingchosenshowsthatIamwellrespectedbymembersofstaff

andrevealstheirbeliefthatIamhardworking,reliableanddedicated.

These personal qualities andmy calm and patient manner demonstrate that I amwell-suited to this

courseandfield. Ihaveastrongambitiontostudythisdegreetoextendmyexistingknowledgeofthe

diverseareasofphysiotherapy,tosuccessfullyrehabilitateindividuals.

Ifindthelegalsystemcaptivating,butitwasmyparents'experienceofhavingtoattendacourt

hearingregardingmybrother'shealththatservedasthecatalystformydesiretostudylaw.The

processinspiredmetowishtobecomeanadvocate,asasolicitor,aftergainingalawdegree.Iam

eagertopushmypersonalboundariesandtheboundariesofmysubject.Recently,Iattendeda

lecturefromGhana'sChiefJustice.Twopointswereparticularlyfascinating:firstly,itisnothealthy

forthejudiciarytobeheavilyinfluencedbypolitics(thechangestothelawinEnglandregarding

Brexitarerelevanttothispoint);secondly,theadvancementofalessdevelopedcountrydepends

onimprovingthesocio-economicconditions,andthelawisthefoundationforsuchgrowth.

Certainly,Iagreewiththesentimentthatthelawis"dealingwiththehumancondition"-as

ProfessorEFisheraptlystatedatauniversitytutorialIattendedinJune,andthiscultivatesmy

passionforlaw.Despitetherebeingadifferencebetweenethicsandlaw,thelawisbasedonthe

moralvaluesofsociety.

WorkexperienceatGordonssolicitorsgrantedmetheopportunitytodraftaLastingPowersof

Attorneyandawill.Thelatterrequiredsortingoutthedeceased'staxesandshares;theimportance

ofprecisionincalculatingaclient'sestatebecameclearfromthiswork.Inow

understand,morefully,thatthelawisaprocess.AtEDCLord&CoItookdictations,amended

leasesandtrackedchanges.Specifically,Ienjoyedmakingasupplementalagreement,gaining

aninsightintohowprescribedclausesareimportantinregardtoliabilityinpropertyleases.Atboth

establishmentsIundertookproofreadingandadministrativetasks,makingmeincreasinglyfamiliar

withlegaldocumentationsuchasdeathcertificates,leases,andprobatedocuments.

Thelawisconstantlychanging,solisteningtoprogrammesliketheBBC's'LawinAction'educates

listenerstothewiderremitofthelawanditscomplexities.Inparticular,Ienjoyhowavarietyof

peopleareinterviewed-judgesaswellasvictims-inorderforadebatetobeestablished,allowinga

wideraudiencetoformanopinionfromtheevidenceavailable.From

listeningtoapodcastaboutthelawandacidattacksIrealisedthat,inregardtoacid,itishardto

prosecute.Forbiddingacidinpublicplacesisunreasonablebecausecleanersandjewellersusethe

productintheworkplace:thewiderramificationshavetobeconsideredbeforeanewlawis

implemented.Thispodcast'srelevancetorecentcasessparkedmydecisiontokeepuptodatewith

thelawviathenews.

Mywiderreadinghasincluded'LearningtheLaw'byGlanvilleWilliamsand'GreatDebatesin

CriminalLaw':thesehavegivenmeaninsightintoaspectsofthelawIwasnothithertofamiliarwith.

MychoiceofessaybasedsubjectsforA-levelhasallowedmetoperfecttheartofindependent

study,self-motivation,evaluatingargumentsandthinkingcritically,whilstChemistryhasfostered

logicalthinkingandproblemsolvingskills,whichwillbeinvaluablewhenstudyinglaw.

Ihaverealisedtheimportanceofbeingpartofasharedcommunitythroughmyfundraising

activitiesandbeingaseniorprefect.Ienjoyparticipatingindebateclub,discussingissues,digesting

differentinterpretations,andacceptingreasonedconclusions.Outsideschool,asHeadChorister,I

amrequiredtoshowleadershipanddisplayreasoninadversity.

Asachurchgoer,Ihaveafirmmoralstanding.Iappreciate,however,thatmoralitybasedon

churchdoctrinemaydiffertopoliticallaw.Apodcastabouthowbesttoheartheevidenceof

thoseunder18broughtacriticalawarenesstoamoraldilemma:youngpeopleoverthelegal

prosecutingageshouldbepunished,yetisthecriminalcourtorthefamilycourtthebest.Placeto

consideralltheevidencetoreachajudgement?Ifindthelawendlesslycaptivating,

whichiswhyIwishtostudyitatuniversity.

Myinspirationforbecomingachildren'snursestemsfromwatchingmymotherandsisterinthesame

role.Ihavealwayslovedthethoughtofbeinganurseandcaringforpatients.Ibelievechildnursingwill

beanincrediblyrewardingcareerbutunderstandtherewillbechallengesanddemands.However,Iam

confidentthatIcanacquiretheskillsnecessarytoensurethatthemedicalneedsofthepatientaremet

andthepatientsandtheirfamiliesreceivethebestcare.

IstudiedChildDevelopmentatGCSE,whichconfirmedmyinterestincaringforchildrenasafuture

careerchoice.AspartofthecourseIstudiedatwo-year-oldgirlwithaCleftLipandPalateforsix

months.Thisinvolvednumerousvisitswiththechildandherfamily,whereIhadplannedactivities

specificallydesignedfortheageandstageofthechild.Oneactivityinvolvedmakingourownplay-dough,

whichthelittlegirlreallyenjoyed.Igottoknowherasabrave,confidentandexcitablelittlegirlwhomI

enjoyedspendingtimewith.IusedPIEStoevaluatewhetherherCleftLipandPalateaffectedher

development.InJuly2018,IcompletedaworkplacementatThamesValleyFertilityClinicwhereIgained

valuableclinicalexperience.TheclinicspecialisesinIVFandcomplexfertilitytreatment.OnmyfirstdayI

wasintheatrewiththedoctorobservinghimperformfascinatingproceduresonmenandwomen.

Ithoroughlyenjoyedit.Themanageralsoallowedmetositinonconsultations,nurseplanning,admin

workandalsotalkedmethroughphlebotomytrainingandbloodpressure.Ilearntinvaluableskills,

particularlytheimportanceofclientinteraction,especiallywithsomethingassensitiveasfertility.I

witnessedthedoctorsandnursesdiscusstreatmentsprofessionally,yetbereassuringandcomfortingto

clientswhoweresometimesverydistressed.Bothexperiencesdemonstratedtheimportanceofseveral

keyskillswhenworkingwithchildrenanddeliveringcare.Theseincludepatience,excellentlistening

skills,beingcompassionatewithoutbecomingemotionallyinvolvedandhavingthetenacitytoensure

tasksarecompleted.

IhaveexperienceofinteractingwithchildreninmyfamilyandthroughtheChildDevelopmentcourse.I

recognisetheimportanceofbeingabletocommunicatewellwithchildren,especiallyiftheyareunwell.

Poorlychildrenmaynotbeabletocommunicateverballysoanursemusthavetheskillstobeableto

interpretpatients'needs.ThroughtheChildDevelopmentcourse,whichincludedvisitsfrommidwives

andSCBUnurses,Igainedvaluableinsightsintothehighlevelofskillsthatwillberequiredofmeasa

children'snurse.

Ihaveworkedinretailfortwoyears,gaininganumberofusefulskillsincludingself-confidence,learning

andretaininginformationaboutmultipleproducts,dealingwithdifficultcustomersandtheimportance

ofbeingpartofateam.Theteamneedstocommunicatewellandbewellledandorganised.Ihavehad

tomanagesituationswhereconflicthasarisen,andnowfeelabletodealwiththisappropriately.

MyA-levelsubjectsareEnglishLiterature,GeographyandPsychology.StudyingEnglishhashelped

developmyanalyticalskillsandimprovedmyvocabulary.HumanGeography,inparticular,hasgivenme

awindowonmanyaspectsofhumanlifeincludingdiverseculturesandtheimpactofdeprivation.And

Psychologyhastaughtmewhyhumansbehaveandreactthewaywedo.Iwasalsoaschoolprefectand

participatedintheDoEawardscheme(ahugelyrewardingexperience).

Iamveryexcitedtobeginthiscourseanddevelopmyskillsfurtheronthejourneytobecomingacaring

andcompetentnurse.Iunderstandthatthisrolewillbechallenging,andattimeshardandupsetting,

howeverIfeeltherewillbemanyupliftingandhappymoments.IfeelthatIcandeveloptheskillsto

becomesomeonethatpatientsandtheirfamiliescantrustandrelyonintheirtimeofneed.

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satisfiedwithitandtellsyoutodoso.

Checking

o Clickon“ViewAll”.Thiswillpreviewallthedetailsenteredsofarineachsection.

o Onlysendtheapplicationtoyourreferee(yourtutor)whenyouaresureyouhave

thoroughlycheckedthatallsectionshavebeencompletedbyyou

DEADLINETOSUBMITTHEFORMTOYOURTUTORIS:

FRIDAY18THOCTOBER2019

o Printoutacopyoftheapplicationformandkeepitsafeforreference.

o Proceedtosendtheformtotherefereebypayingonlinebycredit/debitcard.Youwill

beaskedtoenterthecarddetails.Makesureyouhavepermissionifusingacard

belongingtoparents.£24for5choices,£18forasinglechoice.

Yourtutor(referee)willnowaddtheirreferenceandtheformwillbesenttoUCAS.

THISPROCESSMAYTAKEUPTO20WORKINGDAYS.

REMEMBER–THEEARLIERYOUCOMPLETETHEWHOLEPROCESS,

THEMORELIKELYYOUARETORECEIVEANOFFER

FINALDEADLINEforGMSstudentstocompleteprocess:

Friday13thDecember2019

(EXCEPTOXBRIDGE/MEDICALCANDIDATES13thSeptember2019)

Formoreinfo,gotowww.ucas.com/fillinginyourapplication

final deadlines

apprenticeships

WhatisanApprenticeship?

Earnwhileyoulearn.FromEngineeringtoAccounting,CateringtoTeaching.

Anapprenticeship is a real job, consistingof a combinedpackageofwork

and study, which will enable you to complete a relevant professional

qualification whilst learning in the workplace. You’ll be employed by a

companyfromdayonewithaContractofEmployment:workingaminimum

of 30 hours a week, you will rights and responsibilities including paid

holiday.Allapprenticeshipslastminimumoftwelvemonths.

Typicallyyouwillhaveonedayaweekdedicatedtolearningandstudy.

Whatlevelsarethere?

Apprenticeshipsareavailableatintermediate,advanced,higheranddegreelevel:

Name Level Equivalenteducationallevel

Intermediate 2 5GCSEpassesatgradesA*toC

Advanced 3 2Alevelpasses

Higher 4,5,6and7 Foundationdegreeandabove

Degree 6and7 Bachelor’sormaster’sdegree

Therearenosetentryrequirements:thesevaryfromprogrammetoprogramme,dependingon

thesector,levelofprogrammeandtheoccupationalareas.Usuallyemployerswilllookingbea

combinationofacademicqualifications,skills,attributesandpersonalqualities,henceit’svery

importanttoresearchtheapprenticeshipyou’reinterestedintoseeexactlywhat’sneeded.

WhatapprenticeshipsaremostrelevantwhenIfinishSixthForm?

Currentlythereareapprenticeshipsofferedinover170industrieswith280differenttypes.

Aftersixthform,studentsaremostlikelytobesuitedtohigherordegreeapprenticeshipsbut

therearenorestrictionsshouldyoudecidetoapplyforanIntermediateorAdvanced

Apprenticeshipinanoccupationalfieldunrelatedtoyou’reA-levelorBTECstudies.

Degreeapprenticeshipsareagrowingarea.BigcompanieslikeRollsRoyce,GlaxoSmithKline,

GoldmanSachsandBAESystemsofferdegreeapprenticeships,butyou’llalsofindsmaller

companiesofferingthem.

HowdoIknowifIamsuitedtotakingaHigherorDegreeApprenticeship?

WhilstApprenticeshipscanbeanattractivealternativetoHigherEducation,thereareanumber

ofthingstoconsiderattheresearchstage:

• Doyouclearlyhaveaparticularinterestintheareaofworkyou’reapplyingfor?Most

importantly,candemonstratethisfrompreviousexperience,whetheritbe

volunteering,workexperienceorcontributionsinschool?

• You’llbestartingachallengingjobandestablishingyourselfintheworkplace,whilst

commencingstudiesforaprofessionalqualificationordegree.

• Youwillbeexpectedtoachieveacademicallyandatwork,workingfull-timehours

withfewerholidaysthanfriendswhoareatuniversity.

• Lengthoftheprogramme;sometimesaHigherApprenticeshipcanleadontoaDegree

butthismaynotbeguaranteed.Doyouknowwhatyouarecommittingyourselfto?A

degreeprogrammewillusuallylastbetween3to6yearsstudy.

HowdoIgoaboutapplyingforApprenticeships?

Unlikeapplyingtouniversity,thereisnostreamlinedapplicationprocessorfixeddeadlinewhen

itcomestoApprenticeships,soyouneedtobepreparedtostartyourresearchearlyandinvest

considerabletime.Vacanciesappearthroughouttheyear,soitisworthregisteringforalertson

anumberofwebsites(wwwgov.uk/apply-apprenticeshipbeingthecoreone)tohearabout

vacanciesastheyappear.

Whatdoapprenticesgetpaid?

ANationalMinimumWageof£3.90perhourappliestoallapprenticesunder19yearsold,and

tothosewhoare19oroverinthefirstyearoftheapprenticeship.Inaddition,thereisatleast

20daysholidayayearalongwithbankholidays.Thebenefitofhavingtrainingisobvious–over

alifetimeapprenticeswithtrainingwillearnover£100,000morethanthosewithouttraining.

TopTipsforApplications

• Bigcompaniesmayoffer‘Insight’or‘Experience’daystotellyouabouttheircompany

cultureandsectorwhichareinvaluablepreparationpriortomakingajobapplication

• Asageneralrule,largercompaniesplanoneyearaheadandsowilleffectivelymirrorthe

UCAScyclei.e.initialcontactswillstarttobemadeinthesummerwithvacancies

appearingintheautumn,butthemajoritypopupfromJanuaryorFebruaryonwards.

• Smallerbusinessesmaystartrecruitingonlyamonthortwobeforethejobstarts,soif

youhopetostartworkinSeptember,youshouldstartlookingfromEasteronwards.Do

checkstartdatesclosely,tomakesureyou’llhavefinishedschool.

• Don’twaituntilthedeadlinetomakeanapplication,somecompaniesclosetheir

recruitmentprocessassoonastheyhavesufficientcandidates.

WhatshouldIexpectfromtheSelectionprocess?

Thereareusuallyanumberofhurdlesorstagestogetthroughsothattheemployercanassess

whetheryouhavetherelevantskillsandqualitiestheyarelookingfor.Typically,youmayhave

tocompleteanapplicationform,onlinetests,perhapsaphoneoronlineinterview,beforebeing

invitedtoanAssessmentDay.Thiswillincludeindividualandgrouptasks,possiblypsychometric

testsanddefinitelyeitheraonetooneorpanelinterview.Smallerorganisationstendtohavea

lesscomplexandmorepersonalprocess.

Furtherhelp

Ifyouwouldliketogaininterviewskillspractiseordevelopagreaterunderstandingof

AssessmentDayspleasecontactMrsGillSouthonCareerGuidanceandInformationAdviser.

Usefulwebsites

www.gov/uk/apply-apprenticeship.co.uk

www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk

www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

www.careersworld.co.uk/south-east/home

www.future-talent.com

ww.thebigchoice.com

Manyofthejobsearchwebsitesarealsoextremelyuseful.

Beawarethatmanyapprenticeshipschemesmayrequire

youtohavegoodpassesinGCSEMathsandEnglish.

Dependingonthesegrades,youmayormaynothaveto

takesomeliteracyandnumeracytests.

OtherCareerOpportunitiesIfyouarecertainthatyoudonotwanttoapplytoHEthrough

UCAS, then this sectionwill help you think aboutwhat sort of

jobyoumaywishtoapplyfor.

Don’tforgetthatmanyofthewebsitesatthefrontofthisbookletarealsoveryuseful.

ThoseapplyingthroughUCASmayalsofindthissectionuseful.

l CV–whatisit,writingit

l Personalinformationandskills

l Whattoinclude

l Matchingyourdatatothejob

l ExampleCVs

l Interviewtechniques

UsefulJobSearchWebsites

www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u-jobdatabase:jobs,payandentryroutes

www.kudos.cascaid.co.uk–completeyourownjobsearchprofile

www.neuvoo.co.uk

www.e4s.co.uk(employmentforstudents)part-timejobvacancies

www.alec.co.uk–usefultipsonwritingCVs,jobapplicationsandattendinginterviews

www.apprenticeships.org.uk/-apprenticeshipinformation

www.monster.co.uk–UKwidejobsearchsite–searchbyregionandjobtitle

Hundredsofwebsiteshavespecificcareersinformationandjob

vacancies.Hereareafewthatsomestudentshavefounduseful.

www.cityjobs.com–usefuljobhuntingsitecoveringaccountancy,banking&finance,IT,

insurance,media,marketingandlegalprofessions

www.allthetopbananas.com-jobsearchanduploadyourCVforfree

www.enginuity.org.uk–excellentsite,introducingawiderangeofengineeringcareers

www.ttctraining.co.uk–theTravelTrainingCompanywebsiteforthoseinterestedin‘Traveland

Tourism’

www.cw360.com–computerweekly,anon-linemagazinewithITvacancies

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk–careersinformationandjobvacanciesintheNHS

www.skillset.org–creativemediaindustry–explainsthecompetitionforjobs,thevarious

jobs & cvs

industrysectors,skillsshortageareasandwebsitestoconsult

www.uksport.gov.uk–excellentjobvacancyinformationwithintheInsideUKSportpage

www.need2know.co.uk/wprk-comprehensivesitewithcareerorjobadvice,interview/CVhelp,

self-employment

www.princes-trust.org.uk–employmenthelpforyoungpeople

www.redgoldfish.co.uk–excellentsitecoveringwiderangeofjobsandcareeradvice,CVs

www.jobsite.co.uk-SendyourCVtorecruitmentagencies

www.myjobsearch.com-jobsearchengine

PleaselettheSixthFormTeamknowifyoudiscoveranyotherusefulwebsites.

WhenapplyingforajobyouwillberequiredtosendinaCVand/or

coveringletter.

FollowthesesimpletipstoensurethatyourCVstandsoutfromalltheotherapplicants.

Top5CVTips

YourCVisyourpersonalbrochure,givingyouachancetoshowoffalltheattributesthatmake

youtheperfectchoiceforemployers.Thesetipsinformyouofthekeythingsyouneedto

considertoensureyourCVshowsyouinthebestlight.

1.Showwhatmakesyouunique.

Foreveryjobyouapplyforyoucouldbeupagainsthundredsofothercandidates.Itis

importanttoensureyourCVstandsout.Employersdon'tjustbuyskills;theybuysolutions,so

researchtheplaceofferingemployment.Perhaps,showhowcanyoumakethecompanymoney

orhowcanyousolvetheproblemsthattheyhave.

2.Chooseaclearlayout.

Employersspendaround20to30secondsscanningaCVsoitneedstoremainclutter-freeand

easytoread.Thelastthingarecruiterwantstodoishuntfortheinformationthattheyare

lookingfor,sodon'thideitamongstanarrayofelaborategraphics.

3.TailoryourCVtoyouraudience.

Itmaysoundlikeatimeconsumingprocess,butmaketheefforttotailoryourCVtosuitthe

requirementsofeachparticularjobthatyouapplyfor:itcangreatlyincreaseyourchancesof

securinganinterview.

writing a good cv

4.KeeptheCVerrorfree.

It'sdeceptivelyeasytomakemistakesonyourCVandexceptionallydifficulttorepairthe

damageonceanemployerhasit.Aswellascheckingyourspellingandgrammar,makesure

youremploymentdatesmatchupandthatyou'veprovidedtherightphonenumberandemail

address.

5.KeepyourCVup-to-date.

WhenyouputtogetheraCVitisoftendifficulttoremembertheprojectsyouhavebeen

involvedinandtheachievementsyouhavemade.Toavoidmissingimportantpiecesof

information,revisityourCVeverymonthaddinganythingofimportance,andcuttingoutany

informationthatisnolongerrequired.

WhattoincludeonaCV

Thereisnosetformat.HowyoupresentyourCVisuptoyou.However,youshouldinclude,at

theveryleast,thefollowing:

• yourname

• youraddress

• yourphonenumber

• youremailaddress(ifyouhaveone)

• yourcareerhistory

Putyourmostrecentjobfirstandincludedates.Employerswillbemoreinterestedinwhatyou

havedonerecently.Don’tleaveanygapbetweenoccupations,becauseemployerswillwantto

knowwhatyoudidduringthoseperiods.

Ifyoudon’thavemuchworkexperience,youcouldincludetemporary,holiday,part-timeor

voluntaryjobs.Ifyou’vehadmanydifferentjobs,emphasisetheskillsandexperienceyouhave

acquired,forexample,dealingwithcustomersorcommunicationskills.

Youdon'tneedtoincludeyourdateofbirth.

Lawsonagediscriminationmeanthatyoudonotneedtoputyourdateofbirth,oryourage,on

yourCV.

Thefollowinggivesideasaboutwhattoinclude:

PersonalprofileThisisashortstatementatthebeginningofyourCVtosellyourself,toshowofftheskills,

experienceandpersonalqualitiesyouhave.Youcouldincludepositivewordssuchas

‘competent’,‘adaptable’,and‘conscientious’.

Tailorthestatementtotherequirementsofthejobbeingappliedfor.Makeitcleartothe

employerthatyou’retherightpersonforthejob.

AchievementsEnsureyouwriteabouttheachievementsofyourpreviousjobs;whatyoudidwellandhowthe

skillsacquiredarerelevanttothejobyouareapplyingfor.

QualificationsandtrainingIncludeanyqualificationsandtrainingacquiredfromprevious

jobs(forexample,traininginhealthandsafetyora

certificateinfoodhygiene).Putthemostrecentfirst,and

includethequalificationsyouachievedatschoolorcollege.

InterestsThesecansupportyourapplicationifyourhobbiesandleisureactivitieshighlight

responsibilitiesandskillsthatarerelevanttothejobyou’reapplyingfor.Perhaps,youhave

organisedactivitiesforacluborsociety.Perhaps,youhavedevelopedleadershipskillsor

teamworkskillsfrombeingakeymemberoftheorganisation.

OtherinformationItisanindividual’schoicewhethertoincludeextrainformation.Itishelpfultodosoifthereare

gapsinyourCV.Ifyouhadacareerbreakbecauseyouwerecaringforchildrenorelderly

relatives,makethisapositiveexperience.Thinkabouttheskillsyouacquired.Ifthejobyou're

applyingforisdifferentfromwhatyou'vedoneinthepast,explainwhyyou'reinterestedinthe

newtypeofwork.

ReferencesItisbesttohavetwoormorepeoplewhocanprovideaworkorpersonalreference.Ideally,one

shouldbeyourmostrecentemployer.Ifyouhavenotworkedforawhileitcouldbesomeone

whohasknownyouforalongtime.Itshouldbesomeonewhocancommentonyourqualities

inrelationtothejob.Youshouldaskthepersontoagreetothisbeforehand.

AskafriendorrelativetoreadthroughyourCV,tomakesureit'saccurateandshowsoffthe

skillsyouhaveinapositiveway.

WhatdorecruitersdislikeseeingonaCV?

TheInternethaschangedthefocusofajobsearchandjustbecauseyourCVlooksniceon

paper,itdoesn'tmeanit'sniceonacomputer.

WithstacksofCVsarrivinginhiringmanagers'inboxeseverydaythey,veryquickly,growto

loathsomeofthethingstheysee.Ifyoudon'twantyourCVtobediscarded,takeheedto

avoidthefollowing:

• Spellingerrorsandpoorgrammar–itisimportanttowritecorrectly:youlosesomuch

whenitiswrong.Checkeveryword,thendoublecheckit.Beforeyousenditoff,check

itagain.ReadyourCVoutloudtouncoveranygrammaticaldiscrepancies.

• Tooduty-oriented-ifyoufindyourselfcopyingthejobdescriptionintoyourCV,youare

missingthepoint.Recruitersalreadyknowwhatthejobis;yourCVshouldhighlightwhat

you'veachievedandwhatyoucanoffertothejobbeingadvertised.

• Inaccuratedates-recruitersneedtoknowwhereyouworkedandwhen,becausethey

wanttounderstandyourworkinghistory;theyusethedatestorunbackgroundchecks.

Missingdates,especiallyforlongperiodsoftime,couldsenduparedflag.Include

specificrangesinmonthsandyearsforeveryposition.Ifyouhavegaps,explainthemin

theCVorinanaccompanyingcoverletter.

• Inaccuratecontactinformation–aCViscreatedforonereason,togetaresponse.How

cansomeonecontactyouifthephonenumberismissingadigitoryouremailaddressis

incorrect?Recruiterswillnotlookyouup;they'llmoveontothenextcandidate.

• Poorformatting-differenttypefacesandboxesmaylookniceonpaper,butasyourCV

goesthroughvariousemailformatsandITpackages,itcangetdistorted.Ifyouwant

everyonetoseeyourCVinthesameformat,keepitinplaintext.

• Longparagraphs-employersgenerallydon'thavethetimetoreadthem.Focusonthe

skillsandaccomplishmentsthatdirectlyapplytothejobyouareapplyingfor.Use

snappybulletpointsbecauseeverywordcounts.Avoiddwellingonthespecificsofeach

job;insteadhighlightspecificpointsthatwillhelptherecruitertoselectyoufor

interview.

• Unqualifiedcandidates-youmaywantthejob,butifyoudonotshowyouhavethe

skillsandexperiencerequired,recruiterswillfeelyouarewastingtheirtime.Ifyouthink

youhavetheskillsandexpertiserequired,makesureyoumakeitobviousbydrawing

attentiontohowyourqualificationsmatchkeypointsinthejobdescriptionandwrite

thematthetopofthedocument.

don’ts

Informationunrelatedtothejob-recruitersspendlimitedtimeoneachCV,therefore,

itisimportantnottodistractthemwithdetailsofage,height,weightandinterests

unlesstheyaredirectlyrelatedtotheworkbeingappliedfor.Spendtimemakingalink

betweenwhatarecruiterneedsandwhatyoubringtothetable.Thehobbiesand

interestssectionisvalid,butdon'tletitdominate.

ThelengthofaCV

Youarenotwritinganautobiography.ItisaCurriculumVitaeandit’s

meanttobeanoverview!Aone-pageCV,ifitisfeasible,is

recommended.Somerecruitmentagencies,especiallyhead-hunters,

mayinsistonaone-pageCV.

Failingthat,twopagesareentirelyacceptable.Incertaincircumstances,itmaybeacceptable

foraCVtoruntothreepages,forexample,amedicalCVwouldneedtodocumentmultiple

qualificationsandexperiencesoshowacademicandclinicalexperience.

Somebelievethataone-pageCVisworthlessthantwo-pages,butthisisdefinitelynottrue.Itis

muchbettertohaveagood,strongone-pageCVthantwo-pagesthatarepaddedoutwith

unnecessaryinformation.Aimtoexcludeirrelevantinformation,whichmaydetractthereader

fromother,moreimportant,points.

OftenaCV,whichhasbeenspreadoutovertwopagescan,withalittlecarefultweaking,be

madetofitontoonepage–andthistendstohavegreaterimpact.Itis,ofcourse,importantnot

toforceaCVunnecessarilyontoonepagewhentwopageswouldbebetterbuta1½pageCV

tendstolookincompleteandweak.

Summary:ifafinishedCVislongerthantwopagesitisimportanttokeepworkingonituntilit

hasbeenreducedittothestandardtwopages.Theonlyexceptiontothisruleisthespecialcase

outlinedabove.

IftheCVrequirestobeshortenedconsider:

• removingsomeofthelessimportantpointsyou’vemade

• findingwaystocommunicatethesamepointsmoreconcisely

• ruthlesslyeliminatingallunnecessarywordsandphrases

• axingnon-essentialsections,forexampleyourObjectives

• placingyourinterestsandactivitiesunderOtherDetails

• changingthedesignandpagelayouttocreatemorespace

• editing,rewriting,polishingandperfectinguntilitfits

Regardlessofthelength,domakesurethatallthemostimportantinformationisconveyedon

thefirstpageor,foraone-pageCV,inthetophalfofthepage:sadly,toomanyrecruiterssimply

donotbothertolookanyfurther.

Informationtobeincludedinacoverletter

Inthedayswhenallapplicationsweresentbypost,thecoverletterwasthefirstchanceyou

hadto‘wow'aprospectiveemployer.Now,theprocessislargelyelectronicbased,butnothing

hasreallychanged.

Whetheryou'reemailingyourapplicationorsubmittingitthroughajobsearchwebaccount,

youhavethechancetowriteafewchoicewordsthatwillenticeyourreadertotakeadetailed

lookthroughyourCV.

Atthebeginning…

Addressyourreader–ifyouknowtheirnamealwaysput“DearMrBloggs”ratherthan“Dear

Joe”asover-familiarityatthisearlystagemightsuggestanunprofessionalattitude.

Thefirstsentenceshouldclearlystateyourintentiontoapplyforthejob.Recruitersareoften

coveringmanyvacanciesatonetimeandmaybeconfusedastowhichapplicantisapplyingfor

whichjob.Includeanyreferencenumbersprovidedtomakethetaskeasyforthem.

Referencehowyouraptitudewillenableyoutodothejobsuccessfully.Butremember,your

coverletterisnotyourautobiography–themainbulkofyourexperienceandabilitiesshouldbe

listedonyourCV.Thefocusofacoverletteristohighlighthowyoumeetanemployer'sneeds:

avoidtheperceptionofbeingself-important.

Fromtheadvertisement,pickthemainresponsibilitytherecruiterislookingforintheroleand

giveanexampleofhowandwhyyouarethepersonforthejob.“Myexperienceofmanaging

NetworkSupportEngineerswillhelptoensurethesmoothrunningofyourcomputersystemsto

improvetheefficiencyandeffectivenessofyourbusiness.”Thisisanexampleofaskillthatcan

betransferredtoanewrole.

WatchthelengthTwoshortparagraphsmaybeallthat’sneededtosellyourself.Youshouldtobeaspunchyas

possible,asyourreaderwillprobablybeaverybusypersonwithlimitedtimetotrawlthrougha

longletter.Conciseandcompellingisthewayforward.

Youmaywanttoincludea‘nextstep'foryourreader,suchas“ToseehowIcouldtakeyour

marketingtothenextlevel,lookatmyCVtoseetheachievementsIhavehadduringmytime

withABCWidgets.”ThisclearlypointstheemployertothepartofyourCVyouthinkwill

persuadethemtogiveyouthejob.

Ifyou'reapplyingtoanumberofsimilarpositions,thechancesareyou'retweakingoneletter

andusingitformultipleopenings.That'sfine,aslongasyouarecustomisingeachone.Don't

forgettoupdatethecompany,jobandcontactinformation-ifMr.JonesisaddressedasMrs.

Smith,yourapplicationwillgostraightintothebin.

Besuretoincludeyourcontactdetailssotheycancontactyouwhentheyneedto.This

informationshouldalsobeonyourCV,butthere'snoharmdoublingup.

Othercoveringletteradvice

Length

Acoveringlettershould,ideally,benolongerthanonesideofA4.

Format

Yourlettershouldbelaidoutusingabusinessformat–ifyou’renotsurehowtodothis,takea

lookatthelast“official”letteryoureceived!Lettersthatarealignedtotheleft-handmarginand

withopenpunctuationareeasytoputtogetherbutthisisnottheonlywaytodoit.Using

indentsandfullpunctuationcanlookeffectivetoo.

Mostrecruiterspreferaclear,well-typedletter.However,thelettercouldbehand-writtenif

yourhandwritingisveryclearandlegible.

Spelling

Ifyouaretypingacoveringletter,makesureyousetthecomputertotheEnglishspell-checker.

Askafriendtoreadthelettertomakesurewhatyouhavewrittenmakessense.

CoveringlettersareusuallyphotocopiedsoitisbesttouseA4paper.DonotstapletheCVto

thebackoftheletter–useanewpaperclipinstead.Usethesametypeofpaperforyour

coveringletterasyourCV–itlooksmoreprofessional.

Dear…?

Ideally,thelettershouldbeaddressedtoapersonratherthan“Sir/Madam”.Ifyouonlyknow

theperson’sjobtitle,calltheofficeandaskfortheirfullname–theymaybeimpressedthat

youtookthetroubletofindout!

IfyoubeingwithDearMrSmith,endwithYourssincerely,

IfyoubeingwithDearSir/Madam,endwithYoursfaithfully,

Don’tforgettotelltheemployer:

• whoyouare

• whatyouareapplyingforandwhereyousawitadvertised

• whyyouwantthejobandwhyyouareattractedtotheorganisation

• howyourqualificationsandexperiencemakeyousuitable

StartandEnd

Somepeoplestrugglewhenitcomestotherightwordstostartandfinishacoveringletter.

Whatisimportantisthatyousoundpolite,interestedandenthusiastic.

Youcouldstartwithanyofthefollowinglines:

• Iamwritingwithregardto…

• Pleasefindenclosed…

• Havingrecentlyattended…

Thewayyoufinishyourletterislikeawrittenhandshake.Youneedtobepositiveandexpress

thehopethatyouwillbegiventheopportunitytomeettherecipient.

• Thankingyouinanticipation…

• Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou…

• Ifyourequireanyfurtherinformation,donothesitatetocontactme.

• Ilookforwardtomeetingyoutodiscussmyskillsandthepostinmoredetail.

• Ibelievethatmyexperiencetodatehasallowedmetodevelopmyskillstoalevelthat

wouldmeetthedemandsofthisposition.

UsefulCVWebsites

www.cvtemplate.co.uk

www.reed.co.uki–CVbuilder

www.monster.co.uk–CVadviceandconstruction

www.gov.uk

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv-seeexampleCVs

www.mycvbuilder.com

www.prospects.ac.uk

HAYSRECRUITMENTAGENCY

A CV is the first thing that a potential employer sees that gives them an indication as to

whetheryoumaybesuitablefortheirvacancy.Itwilldeterminewhethertheywishtoseeyou

foraninterview.Itisadocumentthatyouwillneedtokeepuptodateandrefertooveryour

entireworkinglife,whichcouldbeover50years!

Mostpeopletendnottolikewritingaboutthemselves.Somepeoplefinditdifficultto“sell”

themselvesinprint,whileothersgotheotherwayandaretemptedtooversellthemselves,in

doingsoruntheriskofbeingcaughtoutattheinterviewwiththeirlies/bendingofthetruth!

Usethefollowingtipsasaguide:

• usegoodqualitywhitepaperwithaplaintypeface–forgetitalicsanddecorative

• donotdemonstrateyourgraphicsskillsbyaddinganornateborderoranyother

graphics

• trytokeepyourCVtonomorethan2pages

CVstructure:

• Putyournamerightatthetopofthefrontpage,withyourcontactdetailsdirectly

underneath.

• ThestructureoftheCVshouldbeclearandeasytounderstand.

• Educationhistory,academicachievements,workexperience(paidorvoluntary)should

belistedwiththemostrecentfirst.

• Leaveyourhobbiesandinterestsuntillast–highlightyourachievementsegTeam

Captain.

• Finally,listaminimumoftworefereeswithcontactdetails.

cv advice

Howdoemployersinterprettheinformationyougivethem?

Activityundertaken Whatdoesthisdemonstrate?

Assistingfamilymembers(disabled,elderly)

Lookingafteryoungerchildrenfor

family/friends

Thatyoucanbegivenvariouslevelsof

responsibility,youarereliableand

trustworthy

SportsandLeisure

Demonstratesyourabilitytoworkasateam

orasanindividual.Thatyouarecompetitive,

abletothinkonyourfeet,fitandhealthy

Voluntarywork/mentoring,meetingand

greeting,showingvisitorsaroundtheschool

Demonstratesthatyouarepreparedtogive

yourowntimetohelpothersinordertogain

experienceandskills

100%attendance

Demonstratesthatyouarepunctual,

reliable,healthyandthatyouareunlikelyto

havetimeoffworkduetoillness

Remember…

ACVisforlife–yoursisuniquetoyou:

• PersonaliseyourCVtothejobthatyouareapplyingfor–makeitrelevant.

• Askfriends,relativesorteacherstoproofreadyourCV–attentiontodetailisvitaland

asecondpairofeyesalwaysseesthingsdifferently.

• TrytohavenodategapsinyourCV–youwillbequestionedonthemattheinterview.

Andrew’sWorkExperiencePlacement

IundertookaworkexperienceplacementatHaysEducationinBirminghambetween2ndand13

July2019.HaysEducationisalargerecruitmentcompanywhospecialiseinplacingteachersin

schoolsforanythingfrom1day’ssupplycovertopermanentjobs.Mymaintaskswere:

answeringthephones;printingandmailingoutinformationtoschools;usingthecomputer

systemtofindaddressesandschooldetails;photocopying;tea-making;sendingoutreference

requests;typingCVs;scanningdocumentssuchaspassportsontothecomputersystem;and

welcomingvisitors.Ialsoexperiencedsittinginonaninterview,whichwasvaluableexperience

asIwasabletopickupinterviewtips.Theconsultantaskedmetotakenotesandwecompared

ourideasattheend.

Task:condensetheaboveinformationinto5bulletpointsorless.

CurriculumVitae–ExamplefromHays

Name: ThomasJones

Address:

21NewStreet

Leicester

LE24NL

Phoneno: 01162487977/07878248777

Emailaddress: Thomas.jones@aol.com

Keyskills:

Communication: Experienceofdealingwithpeopleonthe

telephone.

Goodatwritingreportsandessays.Abilityto

followinstructionsfromteachers.

Applicationofanumber: Goodatdoingcalculations.Receivedanaward

formathsinYear11.

InformationTechnology: Wonanawardfordesigningalogoonthe

computerforschoolyearbook.

Improvingownlearning: Abilitytosetlearningtargetsandcomplete

tasks.Havealreadyplannedrevision

timetablesforexamperiods.

Workingwithothers: Liketobeinvolvedwithgroupprojectwork

andenjoytakingtheinitiativetoorganisethe

team.TookpartinYoungEnterpriseScheme.

Playcompetitivefootball.

Problemsolving: Alwayscompletecourseworktodeadlinesand

enjoyresearchinginformation.

AcademicHistory:

College/School

GreatMarlowSchool

Qualifications

10GCSEs–includingMaths&

English

Alevels–Maths,ICT,Lawetc.

August2018

TobecompletedAugust

Professional/WorkExperienceHistory:

Date: Dreamsplc–AdministrationAssistant

July2019(2weeksworkexperience)

• Workinginanofficeenvironment

• Answeringtelephonecalls

• Datainput

• Faxingandfiling

September2017-present JohnLewisplc–SalesAssistant

• Greetingcustomers

• Tillmanagement

• Dealingwithlargesumsofmoney

• Customerservice

Achievements&Awards:

100%attendancethroughoutYears7,8,10,11&12.

DukeofEdinburghBronzeAward–June2018

NationalRowingChampionshipfinalists2019

Hobbies/Interests:

InmysparetimeIplayfootballforalocalteamforwhichIamcurrentlyteamcaptain.We

playcompetitivegameseverySaturdayandtraintwiceaweek.Ialsoenjoytravellingand

spendingtimewithmyfamily.

References:

MrOHollyman

HeadofSixthForm

GreatMarlowSchool

BobmoreLane

Marlow,Bucks,

SL71JE

Tel:01628483752

Email:ohollyman@gms.bucks.sch.uk

Asecondreferencecouldbeoneofthe

following:formtutor,subjectteacher,

deputyheadofsixthform

Matchingyourdatatothejob

BeforeyoustartwritingyourCV,youneedtomatchyourskills,qualificationsandexperiences

totheactualjobyouaretargeting.Jotdownthekeyfeaturesofthejobyouareapplyingforand

trytomatchthosetoyourmostrelevantqualificationsandexperiences.Askyourtutortocheck

yournotes.

Thejob–whattheywant You–whatyoucanoffer

Qualificationsneeded

Qualificationsyouhave

Skillsneeded

Yourmatchingskillsandhow,whenand

whereyouachievedthem

Experienceneeded

Matchingexperienceandhowyouachievedit

Personalqualitiesneeded

Yourpersonalqualities

Other–age,location,physicalrequirements

Otherwaysinwhichyoumatch

interviews

Ifyouarefortunateenoughtobecalledforaninterviewitiscrucialthatyouarewell-

prepared.

***Thecriticalfirstfiveminutes!***

Manyapplicantsforjobsofallkindsarerejectedinthefirstfiveminutesofinterview.Thisis

whenpotentialemployersformtheirfirstopinionsofyou.

Yourwrittenapplicationwill,presumably,havefittedtherequirementsoftheorganisation

becauseyouhavebeenofferedaninterview.Next,theemployermeetsyou;heorshewill

assessyourphysicalappearance,speechandbehaviour,tocompletethepicture.

Itiscrucial,therefore,thatyouunderstandthatassoonasyouwalkthroughthedoor,youare

beingjudgedbyeveryone,fromthereceptionistyouhavefirstcontactwith,tothoseinvolvedin

theinterview.Thereshouldbenothinginyourappearanceorbehaviourtocause

disappointment.Thebestinitialapproachistosmile.

Othertips:

• Makesureyouaredressedappropriately,preferablyinsuitattire.

• Donotarrivesmellingofsmoke.

• Movetoshakehandswithpeopleuponbeingintroducedtothem.

• Donotsitdownuntilinvitedtodoso.

• Situprightwithyourhandsrestingonyourknees.

• Donotarrivechewinggum.

Obtaininginformation

Theinterviewisheldtogiveandobtaininformation:itisatwo-sidedopportunity.Oneofthe

mainobjectives,foryou,istoobtaininformationregardingthejobandtheorganisationitself.

Youwillprobablybeinvitedtoaskquestionsattheendoftheinterview.Neveracceptajob

untilyouaresatisfiedthatitistheoneyouwant.

good luck!

InterviewChecklist

Beforetheinterview:

• checkthetime,dateandtravelarrangements/timetables

• researchthecompany

• readbackthroughyourCVandcoveringletter

• rehearsequestionsandanswerswithfamilyorfriends

• planwhatyouaregoingtowear

• thinkpositivelyaboutwhythejobappealstoyou

Attheinterview:

ü Shakehandsfirmlyandconfidentlyandengageusingeyecontact.

ü Waittobeinvitedtositdown.

ü Adoptarelaxedbutformalposture.

ü Answerquestionsconfidently,clearlyandhonestly.

ü Askforclarificationifyoudonotunderstandaquestion.

ü Beenthusiasticaboutthejobandthecompany.

ü Maintainaprofessionalimagethroughout.

DONOT:

û belate!

û swearorsmoke

û beoverfamiliaroroverconfident

û criticiseyourlastemployer

û interrupttheinterviewer

Aftertheinterview:

• Writedownthequestionsyouwereaskedincasetheycomeupinfutureinterviews.

• Reviewtheanswersyougave,ifyoucanrememberthem!

• Ifyoudonothearbackfromtheemployer,telephoneaskingforfeedback.

SomestudentsapplyforUCASbutrequestadeferredentry.ThismeanstheUCASapplication

formisfilledinthisyear,studentsreceiveoffers,buttheplaceisnottakenupuntil

September2020.Astudentoptingforthishastobesurethisistheirpreferredstartdate

becauseitcannotbebroughtforwardtoSeptember2020.

Somestudentschoosetotakeagapyearinordertoreflectonthebenefitsofeachofthe

choicesavailable:employment,furthereducationoruniversity.Shouldastudentoptfor

universityanapplicationtoUCASisrequired.Thiscanbeachievedindividually,throughan

employer,orthroughschool.Ifthelattercourseisthechosenone,itisimportanttocontact

aformerA2tutorand/ortheHeadofSixthFormtoalertthemtothefactthatanapplication

isgoingtobesubmitted.Astudentchoosingthisrouteislikelytoreceiveunconditional

offers,astheywillalreadyhavetheirA-levelgrades‘inthebag’.

Studentsintendingtotakeagapyearmustensuretheyspendtimedoingsomething

beneficial.Theimportanceofthisismadeclear:nouniversity,orpotentialemployer,willbe

interestedinsomeonewhohassimplydonenothingforayear.

Studentsintendingtotravelshouldresearchtheplacestobevisited.Findoutallthatyou

canfromtravelagentsandcompanies.Manyorganisationsofferarangeofactivitiesabroad,

butcheckthemoutthoroughlytoensuretheyarereputable:itisimportanttobuyaquality

experience.

Studentsshouldcheckthattheiroptionofworkortraveloffersaqualificationattheend

oftheexperience;thiswill‘lookgood’onaCV,aswellasofferingproofthattheactivity

wasundertaken.

Somestudentsopttovolunteer,thatwaytheyhelppeople

whoreallyneedsupport,helpandguidance.

taking a gap year

WhyChooseaGapYear?

Agapyearenablesastudenttoexperiencelife.

Takingtimeouttovolunteeroverseasprovidesarareopportunitytodosomethingcompletely

different.Itisaspringboardfordiscoveringyourselfandtheworld.Itmightevenhelpyouplan

foryourfuture,openingyourmindtonewpossibilities.

Agapyearenablesastudenttohaveanadventure.

Goingonavolunteerplacementisarealchallenge.Youwillliveandworkinadifferentculture,

andexperiencelifefromanotherperspectiveinawaythatatouristnevercan.Youwillhave

timetotravel,butyourvolunteerworkcomesfirst.

Agapyearenablesastudenttomakenewfriends.

Youareguaranteedtomeetlike-mindedpeopleonaplacement.Somewillbefellow

volunteers;somewillbecolleagues,studentsormembersofthecommunity.Manywillbecome

friendsforlife.

Agapyearenablesastudenttopractisealanguage.

Thebestwaytoimproveyourforeignlanguageskillsistospendtimeinaforeigncountry.

Volunteeringabroadisanidealwaytoimproveanylanguageskillyoumayalreadyhave,or

evenlearnanewone.Youneverknowwhentheymaycomeinhandy!

Agapyearenablesastudenttoexperienceanotherculture.

Whensimplytravellingbetweencountriesyourarelyhavetimetolearnaboutdifferentwaysof

life.Byspendingseveralmonthslivingandworkingoverseas,youcanreallyexperienceand

immerseyourselfinthecultureofyourchosencountry.Manyvolunteersfeelhomesickfor

theirplacementcountry,ontheirreturnhome.It’scalledReverseCultureShockandprovesjust

howfullytheywereimmersedintheirnewcountrywhilevolunteering.

AgapyearenablesastudenttoenhancetheirCV.

Gettingintouniversityorfindinganewjobcansometimesbehardwork.Havingavolunteer

placementonyourCVcanmakeallthedifference,particularlywhenyoucanexplaintheimpact

thatyourvolunteeringhadonyourownpersonaldevelopment,aswellasthebenefitsyou

broughttoyourhostcommunity.

o Ifyouarereallyseriousabouttakingagapyear,pleasetalktoyourtutor,andmost

importantly–yourparents!

o Belowaresomeusefulwebsitestostarttheprocess.

www.gap-year.com–informationonworkandtravelopportunities

www.gogapyear.com–ForeignandCommonwealthOfficeadvice

www.realgap.co.uk–workandvolunteerworldwide

lifeenhancinglife

timeexperie

www.frontier.ac.uk–worldwideconservationprojects

www.thinkpacific.com–marineconservationorcommunityprojects

www.statravel.co.uk–worldwideopportunitiesforworkandtravel-branchesareavailableall

overLondonandinReading,shouldyouwishtovisitthemforanadvisorychat

www.igapyear.com–various

www.campsinternational.com–gapyearopportunitiesfor18-25yearolds

www.lattitude.org.uk–aninternationalyouthdevelopmentcharityofferingvolunteeringand

gapyearplacementsforunder25s

www.yearoutgroup.org-givesgapyearinformation:providersofhighqualityyear-out

programmesarelisted

www.gapadvice.org-offerscomprehensive,independentinformationabouthavingagapyear

THEREARESOMANYCOMPANIES–FARTOOMANYTOLIST!

YOUDOTHERESEARCHIFTHISISREALLY

WHATYOUHAVEYOURHEARTSETON.

rewarding 59

WhatdatedoIhavetoapplyby?

15thJanuary2020(withtheexceptionofOxford,Cambridge,medicine,dentistry,veterinary

scienceandlawcoursesrequiringLNAT–15thOctober2019).

IsUCAStheonlyapplicationroute?Usually,yes.However,ArtFoundationdegreesareappliedforseparatelywithaportfoliosubmittedtotheinstitutionyouwishtoattend.Some

coursesalsorequireextratestswhichyouwillneedtoorganiseyourself.LNAT–Law,MCAT–

Medicine.

HowdoIchoosethebestuniversity/courseforme?

GoontoUCASanddoacoursesearch.Considercoursecontent,entryrequirements,location

andvisittheuniversity!

What’sthebuzzword?

GMS2020.

What’sthefeecode?

Howmuchdoesitcosttoapply?

£24for5choices,£18forasinglechoice.

WhyshouldIapplyfor5choices,insteadofone?

Thisallowsyouawiderrangeofchoice.With5choicesyoucanapplyforacouplewithhigher

grades,andperhapssomerequiringslightlylowergrades.Thisallowsaspirationalchoices,along

withoptionsshouldyounotperformaswellasyouwouldhope.

Whatdoesdefermean?

Whenyouareacceptedontoacourse,butwishtostartitayearlater.Yourplaceissecure.You

mayonlydothisonce.Becertainwiththiswhenyouapply,asyouwillnotbeabletochange

yourmind!

Whatdoesjointhonoursmean?

Youwillbestudying2differentsubjectsi.e.LawwithFrench.

frequently asked

questions

CanIwritemorethanonepersonalstatementifI’mapplyingfortwodifferent

subjects/courses?

No.Youshouldavoidapplyingfortotallydifferentcourses,asyoumayonlysubmitonefinal

versionofyourpersonalyourpersonalstatement.

Whocompletesmyreference?

Yourformtutor,withsomecollatedreferencesfromyoursubjectteachers.Theywilladd

informationaboutyourcharacter,attendanceetc.

Whodecidesmypredictedgrades?

Yoursubjectteachers.ThesewillbebasedonyourperformancethroughoutYear12andwill

alwaysbea‘bestcasescenario’grade.

WhatifmypredictedgradesaretoolowforthecoursesIwanttoapplyfor?

Youshouldberealisticaboutyourcoursechoices.Youwillknowthecurrentgradesyour

teachershavesaidyouareworkingatandshouldselectcourseswhichmatchthese.Wewillbe

positivebutnotover-inflatethesepredictedgrades.

Whatifallofmychoicesrejectme?

Seeamemberofthe6thFormTeam–youcangothroughUCASExtraorUCASClearing.Allis

notlost!

WhatdoIdoonceIhaveheardbackfromall5ofmyuniversities?

Youwillneedtoconsidertheirofferscarefully,andcheckthattheycorrespondwithyour

progressgrades.BytheendofMay(thesoonerthebetter),youwillneedtologbackintoyour

UCASandselectyourFirmChoice(theoneyoureallywanttogoto)andyourInsuranceChoice

(theoneyouwillgotoifyoudon’tgetthegradesfortheFirmChoice).Itwouldbewiseforyour

InsuranceChoicetohavelowergraderequirements,wherepossible.

WhatdoesRussellGroupmean?

Thisisagroupofthetop24universitiesinthecountry.Theyareoftenrenownedfortheir

world-classresearchinaparticularfield.Graderequirementsfortheseuniversitiesmayoften

behigherandplacescompetitive.

Whydosomeuniversitiesaskforgradesandsomeaskforpoints?

Theuniversitiesdecidethemselveswhichtheyaskfor,butthemoretraditionaluniversities,

suchasthoseintheRussellGroup,willtypicallyaskforgradesonly.

DoIgetfreesandwichesifIdoasandwichdegree?;)

ucas / next steps guide 2019-20 - great marlow school · title ucas / next steps guide 2019-20...

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